# Dog sledding in the Laurentians

> Dog sledding is probably one of the best experiences I had during my stay in Canada.

Source: https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/en/blog/dog-sledding-in-the-laurentians/
Published on 26 March 2018

**Dog sledding** is probably one of the best experiences I had during my stay in Canada. I think it's an activity that every foreigner has on their list of things to do and see when they come to Quebec, almost a must! For my part, it was definitely on mine and I really wanted to live this experience, which turned out to be incredible. I had gone through a student association at the UQAM university in Montreal ([the UQAM Sports Centre](https://sports.uqam.ca/activites/sorties-en-plein-air/traineau-a-chiens/)) and had therefore signed up for this **day out in the Laurentians**, handy when you don't have a vehicle, leaving from Montreal.

> **Good to know**
>
> in general, the dog sledding season ends at the end of March, beginning of April, because after that period it's too hot for the dogs: I was lucky to go on the second to last weekend of the winter season, on 25 March.

## The Kanatha-Aki estate

So I had the chance to go dog sledding in the Laurentians, in **Val-des-Lacs**, located 1h30 by car from Montreal and 40 minutes from Mont-Tremblant, at the [Kanatha-Aki](https://www.kanatha-aki.com/laurentides-quebec/) activity centre. The estate is run by a French expat, passionate about nature and animals. He offers **many activities**, in winter as well as in summer, such as horse riding, fishing, zip lining, survival courses... I can only recommend this magnificent place between lakes and forests! The estate is huge but I had time in one day to wander around it, to go and see the **horses** but also the **herd of wood bison** (_Athabascae_) that the owner reintroduced to the region a few years ago and which he presented to us during a guided tour.

![Horses eating hay in front of the snow-covered forest](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/chien-de-traineau-dans-les-laurentides-02-47bc964d.webp)

![Head of a bay horse with a white blaze behind the fence](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/chien-de-traineau-dans-les-laurentides-03-6766451d.webp)

![Visitor stroking the horses along the fence](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/chien-de-traineau-dans-les-laurentides-04-7c642ce0.webp)

_Horse ranch_

![Bison head-on in the snow in front of the enclosure fence](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/chien-de-traineau-dans-les-laurentides-05-f1fc8db5.webp)

![Lone bison in the middle of a snowy meadow and wooded hills](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/chien-de-traineau-dans-les-laurentides-06-44b26056.webp)

![Two thick-coated bison side by side in the snow](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/chien-de-traineau-dans-les-laurentides-07-0c6b7c89.webp)

![Bison lying on the snow at the foot of the bare trees](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/chien-de-traineau-dans-les-laurentides-08-6796dbc7.webp)

![Herd of bison scattered across a snowy slope](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/chien-de-traineau-dans-les-laurentides-09-49422e11.webp)

_Wood bison_

The centre also offers nights in traditional dwellings such as the refuge or the tipi. It really is possible to spend a whole day there, or even a few days to enjoy the place. Late in the afternoon, before heading back to Montreal, I made the most of a bit of time to walk to the panoramic platform which offers a view over the mountains and the whole estate.

![Blue pond ringed with fir trees and banks of snow](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/chien-de-traineau-dans-les-laurentides-10-118a82b9.webp)

![Wooden cabin and old barn at the edge of the pond](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/chien-de-traineau-dans-les-laurentides-11-014a5da9.webp)

![Bison enclosure seen from above in front of the mountains](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/chien-de-traineau-dans-les-laurentides-12-3488cc0d.webp)

![View of wooded hills under the snow in the Laurentians](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/chien-de-traineau-dans-les-laurentides-13-09ef9089.webp)

![Sun above the valley from a wooden platform](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/chien-de-traineau-dans-les-laurentides-14-0f0d51f9.webp)

![Visitor in front of a red and white tipi pitched in the snow](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/chien-de-traineau-dans-les-laurentides-15-70eb05f7.webp)

## Dog sledding

The Kanatha-Aki centre offers several dog sledding packages: for my part, I went for the **discovery dog sled ride**. The ride is done in pairs plus the guide, who gives you the chance to drive the sled with him halfway through. The most comfortable place is of course the one in the sled under the blankets where you feel like you're gliding over the snow. But I'll admit that driving the sled was also a real pleasure even if it's much more physical! The guide shared his techniques and his daily life at the kennel with passion, which makes the ride all the more captivating. The ride also lets you discover the snowy landscapes and, with the sun and the blue sky, it was magnificent.

![Dogs harnessed at the start, seen from the sled](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/chien-de-traineau-dans-les-laurentides-16-9e74331f.webp)

![Team pulling the sled along a groomed trail](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/chien-de-traineau-dans-les-laurentides-17-79f8bda5.webp)

![Harnessed sled dogs at a standstill in the snow](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/chien-de-traineau-dans-les-laurentides-18-ce820e1e.webp)

![Team racing along a trail lined with bare trees](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/chien-de-traineau-dans-les-laurentides-19-29a13a45.webp)

![Sled crossing a snow-covered conifer forest](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/chien-de-traineau-dans-les-laurentides-20-9ff736f7.webp)

![Dogs resting in front of the sled in a clearing](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/chien-de-traineau-dans-les-laurentides-21-1f3cfe56.webp)

Before the ride, I got to discover the **kennel** and get close to the dogs, who are delighted to come and rub against your legs... adorable!

![Plank shelter where the sleds are stored](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/chien-de-traineau-dans-les-laurentides-22-c8b501cd.webp)

![Log cabin and dogs in front of the kennel](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/chien-de-traineau-dans-les-laurentides-23-98601781.webp)

![Sleds and teams gathered in front of the shelter](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/chien-de-traineau-dans-les-laurentides-24-5c354fe8.webp)

![Mushers and sleds gathered in front of the wooden cabin](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/chien-de-traineau-dans-les-laurentides-25-c3720f7f.webp)

![Yellow snowmobile and equipment in front of the kennel cabin](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/chien-de-traineau-dans-les-laurentides-26-c33ebfd9.webp)

_The kennel chalet_

![Brown and white husky head-on, muzzle in the foreground](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/chien-de-traineau-dans-les-laurentides-27-aa709a79.webp)

![Husky in profile, ears pricked towards the trail](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/chien-de-traineau-dans-les-laurentides-28-a7070064.webp)

![Grey husky dozing, head resting on its flank](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/chien-de-traineau-dans-les-laurentides-29-5d5788f5.webp)

![Dog lying in the snow in front of its kennel named Zigi](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/chien-de-traineau-dans-les-laurentides-30-5452dffa.webp)

![Husky with its mouth open and tongue out](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/chien-de-traineau-dans-les-laurentides-31-26af97e4.webp)

_The dogs of Kanatha-Aki_

![Visitor crouching to stroke a dog lying on its back](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/chien-de-traineau-dans-les-laurentides-32-0e4d445d.webp)

![Woman standing near a dog stretched out on its kennel](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/chien-de-traineau-dans-les-laurentides-33-02ef806b.webp)

![Woman stroking a dog sitting on the roof of its kennel](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/chien-de-traineau-dans-les-laurentides-34-58ab30ec.webp)

![Woman standing at the back of the sled ready to set off](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/chien-de-traineau-dans-les-laurentides-35-63a2bfcd.webp)

_Souvenir photos_

## What we thought of dog sledding

No great surprise, I had an excellent day at the Kanatha-Aki estate, one of the highlights of which was that hour of dog sledding. I'm really happy to have been able to make a dream come true, one I had even before coming to Canada for a few months. I would happily do it again if the chance of a trip to the Far North came up, in the Scandinavian countries or in Quebec again.  
**I can only advise you to have this experience if you come to Quebec in winter because it creates memorable memories!**

Planning a trip to Canada? Read all [our articles about the country](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/en/destinations/canada/)!

![Sled dogs resting on the sunlit snow](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/chien-de-traineau-dans-les-laurentides-36-c0a378ff.webp)
## 2 comments

- **Lina**, 2 October 2020
  Une expérience vraiment incroyable que j’ai également eu la chance de réaliser lors de mon propre séjour canadien. J’étais moi sur la presqu’île Sainte Hélène et cela me fait chaud au coeur de voir ces photos qui ravivent tant de bons souvenirs. J’ai hâte de lire la suite de ton blog en tout cas !
  - **Marie** (Voyage sur la comète), 2 October 2020
    Ouii, l’une des plus belles expériences de mon long séjour au Canada !! C’était magique ! Je recommande vraiment cet endroit pour le faire 🙂